Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Step back into a world of intrigue, passion, and ruthless ambition — welcome to Tudor England. Join historian and bestselling author Claire Ridgway as she uncovers the riveting stories of the Tudor dynasty. From the scandalous love affairs of King Henry VIII to the tragic fall of Anne Boleyn, the fierce reign of Elizabeth I, and the lesser-known secrets of Tudor court life, this podcast brings history to life in vivid detail. Hear dramatic tales of betrayal, execution, forbidden love, and political manoeuvring that shaped England forever. Discover daily Tudor history with fascinating “On This Day” episodes — unique insights you won’t find in typical history books. Get behind-the-scenes stories from Claire’s own research trips to historic sites like the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Hever Castle, and more. Enjoy interviews with top historians and experts in Tudor studies, plus lively Q&A sessions tackling listeners’ burning Tudor questions. 🖋 Who is Claire Ridgway? Claire is the author of the bestselling On This Day in Tudor History series and numerous other Tudor books loved by readers around the world. She founded The Tudor Society, connecting enthusiasts with experts through live online events, and runs the hugely popular history websites The Anne Boleyn Files and www.ClaireRidgway.com. Her mission: to uncover the human stories behind the crown — the hopes, fears, and triumphs of not only kings and queens but also the courtiers, rebels, and ordinary people who lived under the Tudor rose. What can you expect? - Gripping accounts of famous events like the Field of Cloth of Gold, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, or the Babington Plot. - Intimate portraits of Tudor figures: Anne Boleyn’s charm and downfall, Thomas Cromwell’s rise and brutal fall, Elizabeth I’s cunning survival. - Dark mysteries and unsolved deaths — who really killed Amy Robsart? Was Katherine Howard truly guilty? - Special episodes on Tudor fashion, food, medicine, and the day-to-day lives of Tudor men and women. Join thousands of Tudor fans worldwide Never miss an episode — subscribe now and become part of a global community that can’t get enough of Tudor drama. Explore more with Claire’s books, free resources, and live historical events at www.ClaireRidgway.com. Ready to travel back 500 years? Press play and let the adventure begin.
Episodes
Episodes



Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Teasel's Tudor Trivia - What was Elizabeth I afraid of?
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
In this latest edition of Teasel's Tudor Trivia, historian Claire Ridgway reassures Teasel the dog that she's not the only one to have fears, her historical heroine, Queen Elizabeth i was scared of things too.
But what was Elizabeth I afraid of? Find out from Claire and Teasel. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:https://youtu.be/5pe1zaNWcCk
Books mentioned:"Oranges and Lemons: Rhymes from Past Times" by Karen Dolby"Elizabeth's Bedfellows" by Anna Whitelock



Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
21 April - A new king for England!
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
On this day in Tudor history, 21st April 1509, Henry VII died and his son came to the throne as Henry VIII.
What did the people think of this news?
In this #TudorHistoryShorts, historian Claire Ridgway shares two contemporary sources about Henry VIII's accession. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/00-OnueuwAg
Find out more about Henry VII's death and Henry VIII's accession in this more detailed video - https://youtu.be/ngAH2vn7l40



Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
20 April - An oath to swear
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
On this day in Tudor history, on 20th April 1534, in the reign of King Henry VIII, prominent Londoners were called to swear a special oath.
Just what was the Oath of the Act of Succession? What were people swearing to? Find out in this latest #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:https://youtu.be/L3nxUpHU4VQ



Monday Apr 19, 2021
19 April - Being a Tudor bookseller was a risky business!
Monday Apr 19, 2021
Monday Apr 19, 2021
Being a bookseller in Tudor times could be a risky business, particularly if you had the wrong kind of books on your premises!
On 19th April 1601, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, bookseller James Duckett was hanged at Tyburn. Find out why in this #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway.



Sunday Apr 18, 2021
18 April - A short-lived reward for Cromwell
Sunday Apr 18, 2021
Sunday Apr 18, 2021
On this day in Tudor history, 18th April 1540, just three months before he went to the scaffold, Thomas Cromwell was given two rewards by King Henry VIII.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/wi3m44kzrVA
Find out more about these rewards in this #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway.



Saturday Apr 17, 2021
20 Interesting Facts about Jane Seymour
Saturday Apr 17, 2021
Saturday Apr 17, 2021
Jane Seymour was the third wife of King Henry VIII, the mother of King Edward VI and the sister of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector, and Thomas Seymour, Baron Seymour of Sudeley.
Even though she was queen for a relatively short period, Jane Seymour is still an interesting Tudor lady, and in this latest "Facts about..." instalment, Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books, shares 20 interesting facts about her. Did you know all of them?



Saturday Apr 17, 2021
17 April - A stolen head!
Saturday Apr 17, 2021
Saturday Apr 17, 2021
On this day in Tudor history, 17 April 1554, in the reign of Queen Mary I, celebrations for the acquittal of a Tudor courtier led to the head of his fellow rebel being stolen. It was the head of Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger.
Find out what happened in this video from Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/R40p3TkcnOQ
Here is a link to a more detailed video on Throckmorton's trial:
April 17 - What happens when a jury doesn't do what the Crown wants? - https://youtu.be/4Vzg9fo8Zww



Friday Apr 16, 2021
16 April - The Mary Rose
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Friday Apr 16, 2021
On this day in Tudor history, in the reign of King Henry VIII, a ship that would become the king's favourite flagship began her first tour of duty.
Find out more about The Mary Rose's career in this video from Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/8NxjFeZfa3s
Here are links to more detailed videos on The Mary Rose:
August 10 - The Mary Rose's first battle - https://youtu.be/2Btr6lCMYko
July 19 - The sinking of the Mary Rose - https://youtu.be/Bq7oWs73I18

I'm historian Claire Ridgway
I'm the best-selling author of 13 history books and the founder of the TheAnneBoleynFiles.com, Elizabethfiles.com and The Tudor Society.
I help Tudor history lovers worldwide to gain access to experts and resources to discover the real stories behind myths and fiction, so that they grow in knowledge while connecting with like-minded people and indulging their passion for history.
I am a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. I was a contributor for the BBC docudrama The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family, and have been featured in BBC History Extra, USA Today, History of Royals Magazine, the Express, and Refinery 29, as well as on podcasts including Suzannah Lipscomb's Not Just the Tudors, Gareth Russell's Single Malt History, Natalie Grueninger's Talking Tudors, Hever Castle's Inside Hever, James Boulton's Queens of England, and many more.